Aboriginal organizations say they are “disappointed” with Bill 32 aimed at implementing the cultural safety approach in the health and social services network.
This bill was tabled last Friday, on the very last day of the parliamentary session, by the Minister responsible for First Nations and Inuit Relations, Ian Lafrenière.
It would require institutions in the health and social services network to take into account the cultural and historical realities of Aboriginal people in all interactions with them.
“Aboriginal people must be distinguished from other users, since they form nations with a distinct history and culture,” reads the bill.
The Legault government had undertaken to legislate on the issue of cultural security in the wake of the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan on September 28, 2021.
However, the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) deplore shortcomings.
It is up to the First Nations to define and ensure respect for their cultural security, said AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard in a press release.
He cites the United Nations declaration which recognizes the inherent rights of First Nations to govern themselves and to protect and promote their culture by adopting their own policies and regulations.
“This recognition is the first principle to ensure cultural safety. However, Bill 32 fails to recognize these rights, which casts doubt on the seriousness of this approach,” according to the AFNQL.
The Legault government “dares” to name Joyce’s principle in the preamble to the bill, but denies one of its foundations: the recognition of systemic racism, we also deplore in the press release.
According to Ghislain Picard, “the government’s approach is contradictory and cannot lead to a real awareness of reality and therefore achieve cultural security”.
The Chairman of the FNQLHSSC Board of Directors, Derek Montour, welcomes the amendment to the Professional Code provided for in Bill 32.
This constitutes “the beginning of a response to our repeated requests, […] but it does not allow the removal of all barriers in terms of languages and the recognition of traditional knowledge,” he adds.
“A reassuring practice would be to have access to services in the desired language in health and social services establishments,” added Mr. Montour.
The First Nations claim to want to participate in the study of Bill 32, claiming to be in the best position to define “culturally safe” approaches and services within the health network.
Under the bill, establishments will have to adapt “when possible” the service offer by hiring, for example, Aboriginal staff.
The Professional Code could be amended so that Aboriginal people who do not meet the conditions for issuing a permit from one of the professional orders can exercise certain reserved activities.